Autumn Mystery, the three-year-old stayer, commences his push toward the South Australian Derby by facing off against older rivals on Caulfield’s track.
Viewers last watched him claim eighth spot in the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington in November, and he now enters Saturday’s Lamaro’s Hotel Handicap (1400m), a benchmark 84 event.
His trainer, Rory Hunter, intends three targeted races as build-up to the South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville set for May 2.
The sequence post-Saturday includes the Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield March 21, the Easter Cup (2000m) there on April 4, and then the Derby four weeks further along.
Hunter indicated the lineup allows breathing space should disruptions occur.
“The South Australian Derby will be his grand final this prep and hopefully we can go into that fourth run in,” Hunter said.
“He’ll go to the Alister Clark Stakes in a month’s time after this and then maybe the Easter Cup at Caulfield then hopefully into the South Australian Derby.
“I think the lead-up race over there, the Chairman’s, comes up a bit short only seven days before the Derby and if anything goes wrong, you’re a bit short on time with them, so we’d prefer to give him that two or three weeks into it.
“Saturday’s race, I think, it’s a good stepping stone for him. He comes in with a lightweight being a three-year-old.
“I’m hoping he’s making some late ground and we’ll be happy.”
Hunter is optimistic about a favorable gate for Autumn Mystery in the South Australian Derby.
From a wide draw in the Victoria Derby, Autumn Mystery trailed at the rear under Blake Shinn but surged late to take eighth.
“Unfortunately, he drew a wide barrier and there wasn’t much we could do,” Hunter said.
“Blake’s hands were tied and we had to go back and ride him cold and finish off the best he could, but he still ran really well.
“His sectionals were the quickest of the race, last 600, 400 and 200 (metres) and I think he’s got a lot of improvement still to come this time around.”
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